Man's body found after RAF alert

RAF Kinloss was closed after a security breach at its gates

Police have recovered the body of an RAF serviceman at an air base which was closed after a security alert.

A high-powered rifle was discovered near the body of Flight Sergeant Philip Herring, 40, at RAF Kinloss in the north east of Scotland.

The entire base was cordoned off after a man carrying a gun was reported near the main gates at 0400 BST.

The body was spotted by the crew of an RAF helicopter. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Flt Sgt Herring had been in the RAF for 20 years and had been an air traffic controller at Kinloss for five years.

His body was spotted at 1426 BST by RAF staff in a helicopter brought in from nearby RAF Lossiemouth to help with the search.

We are sorry to announce such a tragic end to today's incident Chief Inspector Alan Smith

RAF Kinloss is home to a fleet of Nimrod aircraft. More than 3,000 personnel work on the base.

Chief Inspector Alan Smith, of Grampian Police's Moray Division, said: "We are sorry to announce such a tragic end to today's incident.

"I would like to thank the public in the area, who have been very understanding about the disruption which took place this morning.

"I would also wish to extend sincere thanks to the RAF who have provided willing and professional assistance."

Armed search

The search for Mr Herring continued throughout the morning and local people were warned to stay indoors.

Roads around the station were shut and staff told not to report for work.

Armed officers from Grampian Police led an extensive search of the base's 1,000 buildings within its seven-mile perimeter before Mr Herring's body was found.

At about 1500 BST the security alert was declared over and the base began the process of returning things to normal.

Chief Inspector Alan Smith, of Grampian Police, said: "Obviously our concerns were for public safety and the state of the man's mind and the potential threat that could develop from that.

MP Angus Robertson said he was relieved the scare had ended

"In that respect, we set about a plan of effectively sealing off the RAF base."

Local MP Angus Robertson said he was relieved the alert had come to an end.

He said: "This has been a very serious and potentially very dangerous situation reportedly involving firearms so we have to be relieved that it has ended.

"I wish the authorities a speedy investigation so they can get to the bottom of how this situation came to be."

The RAF defended the situation but said it would launch a full investigation into the security breach.